Fluid treating of photographic film



Aug. 8, 1939. A. A. PARKER FLUID TREATING OF PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM Filed April 4, 1938 g! 1 wt n f 040 toyxiuf aw fer [law 74 1i Patented Aug. 8, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 2,168,846 I FLUID TREATING F PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM Aloysius A. Parker, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application April 4, 1938, Serial No. 199,996

7 7 Claims.

This invention relates to the fluid-treating of photographic film and, with regard to its more specific aspects, to apparatus for developing and fixing photographic film.

Among the objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of improved and highly efiicient apparatus for developing and fixing photographic film, such as strip film; the provision of developing and fixing apparatus incorporating power means for keeping the film in constant motion in the developing and fixing fluids, thus to overcome the known disadvantageous and uncertain results obtained when reliance is placed on manual means for imparting movement of the film; the provision of developing and fixing apparatus as aforesaid incorporating timesignal means for advising when the proper developing and fixing times have elapsed, the signal meansbeing settable by the operator todifl'erent time intervals as may be determined, for example by the temperature oi the developing fluid, the contrast quality of the negative and like factors; the provision of a drive and signal assembly for use with conventional developing and fixing tanks, the driving means being capable of ready cooperation with the roll film holder disposed in the tank to drive the holder, and the signal means being operable to advise the operator upon the completion of the proper developing and fixing periods; the provision of an assembly of the last described character which'is inexpensive in construction and of relatively simple design, which is eiiicient and durable in use, and which may be readily cooperated with a film developing and fixing tank; the provision of an assembly of the above character which is adapted for use with developing and fixing tanks of varying sizes; the provision of drive means for the film holder of a developer tank which may be readily cooperated with the tank and connected and disconnected from the film holder; the provision of an improved connection between drive means and a tank film holder, which may be readily cooperated both with the drive means and film holder.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the following analysis of this invention wherein is illustrated an embodiment of the invention in detail.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of film developing and fixing apparatus in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail illustrating the preferred mode of connection between the motor shaft and the film holder;

Fig. 4 is a detail showing themanner in which the drive and signal assembly may be cooperated with the developing tanks of diflerent sizes than illustrated in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating the manner of connecting the motor mounting plate with the assembly head.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the views, reference character l0 designates a generally cylindrical can or tank adapted to contain the film-treating fiuids, such as the developing, fixing and washing fluids. The tank is provided with a cover I l adapted to be secured thereto in substantially light-tight relation by a 0 light-trap connection generally designated l2, the cover being provided with a centrally arranged fiuid-filling opening l3 defined by a dished wall having a depending, axially extending flange, as generally indicated at H, and with a fluid-emptying opening 15 adjacent the periphery of the cover.

Within the tank is arranged a film holder comprising telescoping core parts H, I 8, both of tubular construction. To one core part I! is related a circular end plate 20 mounted for rotation about a centering pin 2| projecting upwardly from the bottom of the tank, the core part extending below the plate 20 and riding on projections arranged in a circular light-trapping ring 19. The 5 related core part l8 carries an upper end plate the core part I! extending through the core part III and upwardly of the end plate 22, as at 23, and having a diametrically arranged cross bar 24 extending therethrough. The telescoping core parts are preferably keyed as at 25, so that they may rotate together, but the upper core part II and the end plate 22 may move upwardly with reference to the other end plate for the full length of the core part I7, 23, whereby the roll holder is adapted for films of varying widths. It will be observed that the axial flange defining the opening III of the cover extends into the tubular core part 23 to aid in properly centering and supporting the film holder within the tank, as well as to prevent light from reaching the film through the filling opening.

The end plates 20, 22 of the holder are each provided with facing tracks disposed along a spiral, the tracks having an opening adjacent the periphery of the end plates whereby a film end may be inserted into the tracks and fed into the holder, it being understood that the convolutions of the film when mounted in; the holder as described are substantially spaced. Further, the

end plates 20, 22 are cut away in known manner the present invention excepting insofar asit may enter into combinations to be described.

As is well understood, proper developing and fixing of the film requires that the film be kept in motion in the developing and fixing fluids. Heretofore movement of the film has been effected by manual means, such as a handle, which is insertible through cover opening l3 and clutched or otherwise related to the film holder so as to rotate the same. In contradistinction to the prior practices, the present invention contemplates the provision of power means for positively driving the film holder, the power means bei preferably supported from the tank cover II in such manner that it may readily be connectedwith and disconnected from the film holder, and also readily mountable, on and removable from the developing tank l0,'whereby to permit-handling and manipulation. of the tank in conventional manner.

To this end I provide power or drive means I for the film holder, preferably consisting of a self-starting synchronous motor generally designated 30,-which may beof the .type disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,987,823, to J W. Han- V sen, the motor assembly incorporating a sealedin speed reduction gear train (not shown) operating to drive a motor shaft 3| at a low R. P. M., such as 4 R. P. M. The motor 33 is mounted on the relatively upper face of a mounting plate 32 which is secured to a head generally designated 33 adapted to be removably related with the tank cover H and supported thereon'in operative position.

Preferably, the head 33 is formed to provide a shell-like body fabricated as by molding from a plastic composition, the head being generally circular and having a flat, vertically disposed front face 34. The mounting plate 32 extends transversely of the head and intermediate the ends thereof, as indicated in Fig. 2, to provide in the upper portion a compartment in which the motor 30 is housed, the plate 32 being in the nature of a grid with a central shaft opening. Electrical connections 35 extend to the motor through an aperture 36 in the rear part of the head. v

The lower portion of the head is preferably of somewhat greater diameter than the upper portion thereof, thus to provide a shoulder 31 against which the peripheral edge of the mounting plate 32 may engage and seat. The head 33 is provided adjacent shoulder 31 with a plurality of spaced lugs 38 which are bored and threaded, as indicated in Fig. 5, to receive plate securing screws 40 whereby the plate 32, and hence motor 30, aresecured to the head.

The motor shaft terminates in a driving blade M adjacent the end of which is disposed a ring element 42, between the inner periphery of which and the faces of the driving blade 4! are provided substantially semi-circular openings to receive the forked or slotted upper end of a connector shaft 43. The lower end of the connector 43 is nated 44 adapted to engage with the driving bar *24 extending across the tubular extension 23 of the core part 11.

When it is desired to drive the film holder by the power means described, the connector shaft 43 is inserted through cover opening l3, whereupon its clutching end 44 will rest onthe drive bar 24. Upon the head being mounted on the tank cover H as shown in Fig.1, with the driving blade 4| cooperating with the slotted end of the connector shaft as indicated in Fig. 2, current is supplied to the motor 30 by connecting the plug (not shown), of supply leads 35 with a conventional wall outlet, whereupon the self-starting motor 33 is energized-to rotate shaft 3| and connector shaft 43 at the desired low R. P. M. If the clutched end 44 of the connector shaft 43 is out of driving-engagement with the driving bar 24, limited rotation of the connector shaft 43 results in clutching engagement being effected, whereupon the film holder is driven at a correspondingly low R. P M.

The front of the lower portion of the head 33 is left open, as indicated in Fig; 1,.thus to provide a large area opening for access to the connector shaft 43 whereby it may be related properly by the operator both with the driving blade 4| and the driving bar 24.

The lower end of the head 33 is of stepped diameter whereby the head may be cooperated with developing tanks of different sizes. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the lowermost portion 46 of the head is of relatively large diameter, thus to fit the cover of a. relatively large diameter developing tank it), whereas in Fig. 4 the portion 41 of lesser diameter is such as to engage the cover Ila of a tank Illa of smaller size. Preferably, the stepped lower ends 46, 41 of the head are so dimensioned that the head may be cooperated with developing tanks of conventional sizes now available on the market.

As is well known, the temperature of the developing and/or fixing fluids, and possibly other factors such as the contrast quality of the negative desired, determine the length of time which the film must be subjected to'the action of the developing and fixing fluids. Heretofore one de-.

siring to develop film was required to time the result that the film was under or over-developed.

The present invention contemplates in the as- I sembly the provison of a time clock unit incorporating signal means, which, upon the expiration of the proper periods of film treatment, gives suitable indication thereof to the operator. To this end I provide a time clock 50 having a face 5| calibrated in minutes, the time element having a bell attachment which provides for the striking of a gong upon the completion of a time interval as set by the operator upon manipulation of the operating knob or pointer 52. Preferably the time clock and signal unit is of the character available on the market under the trade-mark Mark Time, as manufactured by M. H. Rhodes, Inc., and since its structure and-operation are well known no detailed description need be given here. To aid the operator in setting the time clock for the proper treating period, I propose to calibrate the clock dial also in terms of degrees Fahrenheit, such latter relating the temperature of the treating fluids with the time of film treatment. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the time-signal unit is operatively secured within the upper compartment of the head 30, with the clock dial extending through an opening in the front wall 34 so as to be readily viewable by the operator. Accordingly, I provide a clamp ring 5| arranged to hold frictionally the case of the timesignal unit, the front dial ring 53 engaging against the front wall 34 of the head whereby the time clock unit is securely yet removably related to the head.

As is well understood, the zero point of the time clock is designated by a stop pin 55 against which the operating knob 52 normally engages.

The operation of the above described apparatus will now be outlined briefly. After the film is fed into the film holder, the holder is placed in the tank l0 and the cover H is placed thereon. The developing fluid is poured into the tank through cover opening l3 and its temperature is taken. The connector rod or shaft 43 is now inserted through the cover opening l3 to engage against the driving bar 24. The head 33 containing the driving motor 30 and the time clock and signalunii; 50 is then placed in position on the tank cover, care being taken that the driving blade 4| of the motor shaft extends into the slotted upper end of the connector 43. The motor is then plugged into an electric outlet and immediately begins to turn the film holder at the desired low R. P. M.

As the temperature of the developing fluid determines the length of time that the film should be treated therewith, the operating knob 52 is quickly turned an angular amount corresponding to developing fiuid temperature. Thus, assuming the temperature of the developing fluid is 75, operating knob 52 is turned clockwise in Fig. 1 until its pointer end corresponds with the 75 marking on the clock dial. The operating knob also indicates that the developing time is 7 minutes and, upon release of the knob, the time signal unit automatically goes into operation. Upon completion of the 7 minutes, the signal means operates to'ring a bell or gong incorporated into the unit and the operator is advised that the developing time has elapsed.

'I'hereupon the head 33 with its contained motor and clock assembly is removed from the tank and the tank may be emptied of the developer fluid and the film washed with water. Upon emptying water from the tank the fix ng solution is poured in and the clock and motor assembly is again placed in position on the cover and the clock is set as before to the proper fixing period. When this period has elapsed and fixing is complete, the gong of unit 50 again signifies this condition to the operator whereupon the clock and motor assembly may be removed and the film washed in the usual way.

Certain features of importance should be observed from the above'description of operation, among which is noted that of the removable mounting of the head assembly and its contained parts on the tank. This arrangement permits filling and emptying of the tank in known manner, these operations being practiced when the assembly has been removed from the tank. The provision of the connector shaft or rod 43 is also worthy of note, in that itserves as an adapter connection between the drive shaft and film holder and tanks of varying size. By reason of the separable nature of the connector 43 with reference to the motor shaft 3| and driving blade 4|, which latter terminates short of the lowermost edge of the head 33, the head drum 46 serves as a stand or support for the head' assembly when the latter is removed from the tank cover. Although, as above descr bed, the connector 43 may be inserted into the filling opening l3 prior to the positioning of the head assembly on the tank, it is equally feasible and sometimes advisable to slip the connector up on the driving blade 4| prior to inserting the other end into the filling opening, so that positioning of the head on the tank also results in the proper relationing of the connection 43 and the film holder.

The above described apparatus provides simple and improved means of insuring proper development and fixing of photographic film, while at the same time doing away with the requirement that the operator manually maintain the film in moion of the developing and fixing fiuid as characteristic of the prior practices. Further, the apparatus as described provides means for signifying to the operator that the proper developing and fixing periods have elapsed, thus permitt ng the operator to engage in other work throughout these periods, without the danger of over or under-developing and fixing of the film.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank for containing film-treating fluids, a film holder mounted for rotation therein, a tank cover having a central filling opening, power driving means, means removably supporting the driving means on the cover, and means insertible into the tank through said filling opening and coacting with said driving means and film holder whereby to transmit driving force from the driving means to the film holder.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank for containing film-treating fluids, a film holder mounted for rotation therein, a tank cover having a central filling opening, power driving means, means removably supporting the driving means on the cover, and a drive transmitting member insertible into the tank through said filling opening and coacting at one end with said driving means and at its other end with said film holder.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank for containing film-treating fluids, a film holder mounted for rotation therein, a tank cover having a central filling opening, power driving means, means removably supporting the driving means on the cover, and a drive transmitting member insertible into the tank through said filling opening and coacting at on end with said driving means and at its other end with said film holder, said member being freely detachable from the film holder upon removal of the supporting means and driving means'supported thereby from the tank cover.

4. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tank for containing film-treating fluids, a film holder mounted for rotation therein, a tank cover having a central filling opening, power driving means, means removably supporting the driving means on the cover, the driving means including a downwardly extending shaft terminating in a driving blade, 8. drive transmitting member insertible into the filling opening and having a slotted upper end coacting with said driving blade and a lower end providing a clutch surface having driving engagement with the film holder.

5. In apparatus of the character described,

.the combination of a tank for containing filmtreating fluids, a film holder mounted for rotation therein, a tank cover having a central filling opening, a drive head including an upright shell member having a lower rim portion removably-seating on the tank cover and power driving means disposed in the shell, and means insertible into the tank through said filling opening and coacting withsaid driving means and film holder whereby to transmit driving force from the driving means to the film holder.

6. In apparatus of the characterdescribed, the combination of a tank for containing filmtreating fluids, a film holder mounted for rota-- tion therein, a tank cover having a central filling opening, a driving head including an upright shell member having a lower. rim portion removably seating on the peripheral portion of 7. In apparatus of the character described,

the combination of a tank for containing filmtreating fluids, a film holder mounted torrotation therein, a tank cover having a central filling opening, a drive head including an upright shell member having a lower rim portion removably seating on the tank cover, a transversely disposed ,mounting member within the shell,

power driving means supported by said member including a downwardly extending driving shaft, and a drive transmitting member insertible into the tank through the filling opening and coacting at one end with the drive shaft and at its other end with said film holder.

ALOYSIUS .A. PARKER. 

